Key media freedoms in Latvia
Latvia: Key media freedoms was 1.73 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Latvia, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Latvia stood at 1.73.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.7% on the previous year and down 44.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Latvia peaked at 3.12 in 2013 and was at its lowest, -2.55, in 1918.
That places Latvia 34th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | -0.912 | -0.912 | -0.912 | 10 |
| 1910s | -1.31 | -2.55 | -0.912 | 10 |
| 1920s | 1.34 | 1.21 | 1.36 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.4603 | -0.244 | 1.36 | 10 |
| 1940s | -2.55 | -2.55 | -2.55 | 10 |
| 1950s | -2.55 | -2.55 | -2.55 | 10 |
| 1960s | -2.55 | -2.55 | -2.55 | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.55 | -2.55 | -2.55 | 10 |
| 1980s | -2.19 | -2.55 | -1.19 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.38 | 1.77 | 2.63 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.63 | 2.63 | 2.63 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.82 | 2.11 | 3.12 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.07 | 1.73 | 2.62 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Latvia
- 31 Trinidad and Tobago 1.85 compare
- 32 Dominican Republic 1.84 compare
- 33 Botswana 1.82 compare
- 35 Guatemala 1.73 compare
- 36 Kenya 1.72 compare
- 37 South Africa 1.68 compare
More social development data for Latvia
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 32,454 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 189 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.834 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.932 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.888 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.834 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.595 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.751 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Latvia?
- Key media freedoms in Latvia was 1.73 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Latvia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.12 in 2013.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Latvia?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.55 in 1918.
- How does Latvia rank for key media freedoms?
- Latvia ranks 34th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Latvia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Latvia data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.